The son of an Italian immigrant tailor, Emanuel Ungaro was born in Aix-en-Provence, France, in 1933. In 1965, after a successful apprenticeship with legendary Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, Ungaro launched his first collection, featuring flamboyant details, body-contouring silhouettes, and a provocative aesthetic. One of the most recognized names in couture fashion, the house continues to embrace dramatic patterns and decadent designs under the creative direction of Fausto Puglisi.